Almond tree monitoring using spatiotemporal data collected by an unmanned aerial vehicle

Abstract

The almond tree (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb) is a growing crop worldwide. This expansion was manifested in Portugal by the establishment of new plantations, the intensification of the production system, and the growth of irrigated area. To meet demands for almonds, it is essential to invest in agricultural technologies that will improve production and monitor the crop. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have developed as a significant technology for agricultural applications throughout the past decade. In this study, we suggest a method for monitoring the almond tree crop using spatiotemporal data collected by a multispectral sensor accopled to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). During the growing season, in a traditional almond orchard, certain physical tree parameters (number of trees and crown area) were collected and analyzed. Using spatiotemporal data, vegetation indices (VI) were developed to evaluate the vegetative status of almond trees. In combination with the obtained physical parameters, the results of the indices indicated a decline in VI during the growing season. This decline will be associated with the rise in water stress. This study demonstrates the significance of employing UAVs to monitor almond orchards.